Doorcheck



DOORCHECK Filed June 29, 1934 2 sheets-Sheet l Patented Jan. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to a control device and relates more particularly to a. door control or door check. A general object of the present invention is to provide a simple, practical and particularly effective hydraulic door check.

The movements of power operated doors such as elevator doors are usually controlled solely by the cylinder and piston mechanisms which operate them. Such door actuating mechanisms do not properly check or control the linal portions of the movements ol the doors and operate the doors so that their final movements are rapid and accompanied by slamming and the resultant undesirable jarring, vibration and noise. When the plungers and other parts of door operating mechanisms of the character just referred to become worn and lose their proper adjustments through wear, etc. the final movements of the doors become more rapid and the slamming and jarring are more prcpounced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic door check or door control that is operatable to eiiectively dampen and properly retard the final movements of doors such as power operated doors.

Another object of the invention is to provide a double acting hydraulic door control or door check that properly retards and smoothly checks the final portions of the opening movements as well as the iinal portions of the closing movements of the door or doors with which it is associated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door check of the character mentioned that does not appreciably resist either the initial4 closingl tioned that is entirely self-contained and automatic in its operation and that does not interfere with the proper operation of the doors or the door operating mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic double acting door check that may be readily adjusted or regulated to provide for any desired rate of iinal closing and final opening movements of the door.

A further object of the invention is to provide a door check of the character mentioned that may be employed in conjunction with doors and door operating mechanisms oi various characters. I

Other objects and features of my invention will be better and more fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention,

. throughout which description reference may be the doors and showing the control provided by the invention operatively connected with the assembly or mechanisms. Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view of the door check illustrating the body chambers and the Wings operating in the chambers. vertical detailed sectional view of the door check provided by the invention. Fig. 4 is a horizontal detailed sectional view of the door check provided by the invention. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, vertical detailed sectional View of the upper portion of the device illustrating the air or gas vent, and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevation taken substantially as indicated by line 5--6 on Fig. 3. The door control or door check of the present invention may be employed to control the movements of doors of various characters and doors operated by various types of mechanisms, it being understood that the control or door check may be used in connection with manually operated doors as well as mechanically or power operated doors. In Fig. l of the drawings I have shown the door check associ-ated or connected with a more or less typical pneumatic mechanism for operating center parting elevator doors. The drawings merely show one typical form and application of the invention and the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the `specific application and details set forth.

'I'he doors D illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings are supported for horizontal movement toward and away from one another in a vertical plane. Trolleys III are provided on the upper ends of the doors D and operate along a track or rail Il to carry the doors D for movement between their open and closed positions. The air machine or pneumatic cylinder and piston mechanism for operating the doors D includes two aligned cylinders I2 mounted o-n a plate I3. A piston rod I4 extends into the opposing ends of the cylinders I2 and carries pistons I5 which operate in the cylinders. A valve and conduit assembly I6 is provided to admit luid pressure to and discharge fluid pressure from the opposite ends of the cylinders I2. The present invention is not concerned with the details of the Fig. 3 is a l5 assembly I6 or with the manner ci controlling or operating the assembly I6 and the details of this portion of the mechanism have been omitted from the drawings.

A depen-ding lever I1 has its lower end pivotally and shiftably connected to the outer end portion of one door D by a pin I8 cooperating with what is commonly termed a buck strap I9 iixed on the door. A cross bar 20 is pvotally connected with the lever |1 below its pivotal vaxis and extends above the cylinder and pisto-n mechanism to pivotally connect with the upper end of a lever 2|. The lever 2| is pivoted to the plate I3 at a point between its ends so that its lower arm operates in the opposite direction to the lever |1 when actuated by force transmitted by the cross bar 20. 'I'he lower end of the lever 2| is pivotally and shiftably connected with a door D by a pin and buck strap connection 22. A comparatively short arm 23 is rigidly connected with the lever I1 and projects toward the cylinder and piston mechanism. An operating link 24 is pivotally connected with a head 25 on the piston rod I4 and is pivotally connected with the arm 23 to operatively connect the piston rod |4 with the lever I1. It is believed that it will be apparent how movement of the cross head 25 to the position illustrated by the broken lines in Fig. l results in simultaneous movement of the doors D to their open positions. The return of the pistons I5 and piston rod I4 to their normal positions causes simultaneous closing movements of the doors D.

The door control or door check provided by the present invention includes, generally, a body 25 h-aving two liquid chambers C and a liquid reservoir R, a member 21 operatively connected with the doors D or the door operating mechanism to be moved thereby and having wings W movable in the chambers C, automatic valve means 28 operatable to allow the substantially free ow of liquid past or through the wings W during the initial and major portions of their movements, and means 29 for controlling the escape of liquid trapped in the chamber C Vduring the nal portions of the strokes or movements of the wings W.

The body 26 is preferably mounted or Xed on a suit-able stationary support, it being understood, however, that the body may be operatively connected with the doors D or the door operating mechanism and the wing carrying member 21 fixed to a stationary support. The body 28 includes a main or principal section 30 providing the chambers C and carrying the various parts of the device. The body section 3|) has a closed inner end or base 3| adapted to seat against the support or wall 32 and has ears 33 projecting from the base 3|. The ears 33 are provided with openings 34 to receive or pass bolts or screws for attaching the base 3| to the wall 32. An outwardly projecting annular or circular ange 35 is provided on the outer side of the base 3|. The outer portion of the ange 35 is of enlarged internal di-ameter providing an outwardly facing shoulder 35. A head plate or Idisc 31 is screw threaded in the outer portion of the flange 35 and bears inwardly against the shoulder 36.

A diametrical partition 38 is arranged within the annular ange 35 to divide the opening therein into the two liquid chambers C. The inner end or side of the partition 38 bears against the outer side of the base 3| while the outer end of the partition is engaged by the head disc 31. The partition 38 has reduced portions received in longitudinal grooves 39 in the interior wall of the ange 35. An annular boss 43 is provided on the partition 38 to bear inwardly against the base 3 I. A stud 4| on the base projects outwardly through an opening 42 in the boss 0. The partition 38 is out away outwardly from the boss and has concentrically curved faces 43 extending outwardly from the boss. The circumferential walls 44 and the inner and outer walls of the two liquid chambers C are preferably accurately iinished.

'I'he chambers C are fille-d with oil, glycerine or other suitable liquid and the reservoir R is provided to replenish the liquid in the chambers so that the device is self-contained and self-serviced. A cupped hood or cap 45 is threaded on the flange 35 of the section 30 and its interior forms the reservoir R. The inner end of the reservoir is closed by the head disc 31. Packing 46 may be provided to seal between the reservoir cap 45 and the flange 35 and a lock ring 41 may be threaded on the ange 35 to retain the packing and reser- Voir cap in place. The reservoir R is filled with liquid to a level spaced some distance below the upper wall of the reservoir. The space thus left in the reservoir receives vapors, gases and air from the liquid and -allows for the expansion and contraction of the liquid due to temperature changes. A lling opening 48 is provided in the upper portion of the reservoir cap 45 adjacent the desired liquid level and is normally closed by a removable plug 49. One or more comparatively small air vents or ports 50 are provided in the head disc 31 to permit the escape of air and gas from the chamber C into the space in the upper portion of the reservoir R. One or more ports 5| are provided in the head .disc 31 to connect the lower portion of the reservoir R with the liquid chambers C. Suitable check valves 52 are provided for the ports 5| to allow the ow of liquid from the reservoir R into the chamber C and to prevent the ow in a reverse direction. It is believed that it will be apparent how any vapor or air that may accumulate in the chambers C escapes into the space in the upper portion of the reservoir R and how corresponding or proportional volume of liquid iiows to the chambers C through the ports 5|.

The. member 21 is mechanically or operatively connected to the doors D or the door operating mechanism so that its wings W are moved through the chambers C by and in proportion to the movement of the doors. The movement retarding action of the liquid in the chambers C which is controlled by the valve means 28 and the means 39 thus affects the movement of the doors D. The member 21 includes a stem or shaft 53 having an enlargement 54 on its inner end. The head disc 31 has an outwardly projecting boss and a central opening 56 passes therethrough to rotatably pass the shaft 53. The shaft 53 projects outwardly through an opening in the outer end of the reservoir cap 45 to have a projecting outer end for connection with the doors D or the door operating mechanism. The enlargement 54 on the shaft 53 rotatably seats or bears against the boss 40 and has working engagement with the surfaces 43 of the partition 38. The outer end of the enlargement 54 has working cooperation with the inner side of the head disc 31. A socket 55 is provided in the inner end of the shaft enlargement 54 to rotatably receive the centering stud 4|.

The wings W project from the enlargement 54 of the shaft in diametrical relation to one another to operate in the liquid chambers C. The wings are shaped and proportioned to have sliding working engagement with the peripheral walls 44 and the inner and outer walls of the chamber C. The peripheral surfaces of the wings W are increased or enlarged by the provision of lateral extensions 58 on the wings. The wings W are related to the chambers C to have substantial movement therein without interfering with the partition 38. The projecting outer end of the shaft 53 may be operatively connected with the doors D or the door operating mechanism in any practical manner. In the particular application of the invention illustrated in the drawings the projecting outer portion of the shaft 53 has splined cooperation with a lever or arm 60. The arm 60 is of suitable length to provide for the desired leverage or mechanical advantage. A link 6l is pivotaily connected with .the arm 6U and the principal lever il of the door operating mechanism to operatively connect the member 2l with the doors and the door operating means. It will be apparent that movement of the lever l1 and the resultant movement of the doors D is accompanied by movement of the arm 60 and Wings W.

The valve means 28 is provided to allow for the relatively free flow of liquid past and through the wings W during certain phases of operation of the device to permit unconstrained movement of the doors D and operates to prevent such free ilow of liquid during the final phases of movement of the doors so that liquid is trapped in the chambers C to check or retard the movement of the doors. rihe liquid thus trapped in the chamber C is permitted to escape by the means 29. In a double acting control device or door check of the character illustrated in the drawings the valve means 28 passes liquid through and around the wings W during the initial and the major portions of movement of the member 2l in both directions so that the doors D may be freely moved or operated by the iiuid or air pressure operating mechanism until they approach the final portions or' their closing and opening movements.

The valve means 28 includes or provides two spaced circumferentially extending ports or grooves X and Y in the circumferential wall 44 of each chamber C. The grooves X and Y are of substantial liquid capacity and are of considerable length. The grooves X and Y have their opposite ends equally spaced from the partition 38. The valve means 28 includes a port X1 in the outer portion of each wing W extending from one side surface of the Wing to the peripheral surface of the Wing to cooperate with a groove X and the means 28 further includes a port Y1 extending from the other side surface of each wing to the peripheral surface of the wing to communicate with a groove Y. The iiow oi liquid through the ports X1 and Y1 is controlled by check valves. In the particular construction illustrated in the drawings ball valves 63 are arranged in the end portions of the ports which communicate with the chambers C to cooperate with or seat inwardly against seats 54 provided on the walls of the ports. Pins 55 eX- tend through the ports X1 and Y1 to prevent loss or displacement oi the ball valves 63.

When the wings W are moved in the direction l indicated by the arrow B, in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the liquid in front of the wings relative to their direction or" movement freely passes through the grooves X and ports X1 into the portions of the chambers behind the wing. The ball -valves 63 in the ports X1 are open during such movement of the wings. During movement of the Wings W in the direction indicated by the arrow B the valves 63 in the ports Y1 cooperate with the seats 64 so that the passage of fluid through the ports Y1 is prevented. Upon the member 2l being turned in the direction indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 2 of the drawings the liquid in the chambers C in iront of the wings W is allowed to flow freely through the grooves Y and ports Y1 into the portions or the chambers behind the wings until the wings pass the ends oi the grooves X and Y. The valves 63 close the ports X1 against the passage of liquid during movement of the wings in the direction indicated by the arrow A. The grooves X and Y and the ports X1 and Y1 are related so that liquid is permitted to freely by-pass through the wings W when the wings are moved from an initial position such as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings or from a reverse initial position at 90 from the position illustrated. When the wings W are moving through the major intermediate portions of their stroke the liquid in the chambers C is allowed to freely flow through the grooves X and Y around the outer ends of the wings. From the above it will be seen that the Valve means 2S allows substantially unretarded movement of the wings W through the initial and major intermediate portions of their stroke or movements. Due to the inclination of the ports X1 and Y1 and the positioning of the grooves X and 'Y the flow of liquid through and past the wings W is cut off or stopped before the wings W reach the ends of their stroke or movements. In this manner liquid is trapped or conned in the chambers C in front of the Wings W relative to the direction of movement of the wings.

The means 29 provides for the controlled escape of the liquid trapped or confined in the chambers C in front of the wings W during the nal portions of the strokes of the wings. In accordance with the invention the means 29 may be adjusted or regulated to vary the rate oi' escape oi. the trapped liquid under pressure and thus adjust or vary the rate of the final movements of the doors D. In accordance with the invention the means 29 is in the nature of a 'oy-pass means governed by an adjustable valve. The adjustable by-pass means 29 includes ports 'lll in the shaft enlargement 5i! communicating with the liquid chambers C at points adjacent the forward sides of the wings, considering the wings moving in the direction indicated by the arrouT A. The ports 'l0 extend inwardly in the shaft enlargement 54 to a central longitudinal opening 1| in the shaft 53. By-pass ports 'i3 extend outwardly from the opening Il to communicate with the chambers C at points adjacent the rear sides of the wings W considering the wings W as moving in the direction indicated by the arrow A. The by-pass ports 'lil and 13 are located in different planes, the ports 'l0 communicating with the opening 'li some distance inwardly from the points of communication of the ports 'i3 with the opening l l.

An outwardly facing valve seat or shoulder l is provided in the opening '.1! between the sets or pairs of ports 'lll and "i3, The shoulder or valve seat 'i4 may be fiat and normal as illustrated in the drawings. valve is provided to govern the iiow of liquid past the valve seat 'M In the preferred form of the invention illustrated in the drawings the control valve is in the nature of a needle valve including a stem 'l5 extending longitudinally A ow controlling member or through the opening H and provided at its inner end with an inclined or tapered surface 16 opposing the seat 14, A portion 11 of the valve stem 15 is threaded in the opening 1I whereby the valve stein 'l5 may be threaded or adjusted longitudinally to adjust the valve face 16 relative to the seat 14. The valve stern 'l5 extends outwardly through a gland or plug 18 in a nut 19 provided on the shaft 53. A nger or hand 8U may be provided on the projecting portion of the valve stem 'I5 to indicate the setting of the valve face '16 relative to the valve seats 14.

In operation, assuming the parts to be in the positions illustrated throughout the drawings, the doors D are adapted to be opened by the action of fluid or air under pressure admitted to the cylinders I2 during which opening of the doors D the arm tio is moved from the position illustrated in full lines to the position illustrated in broken lines in Fig. l of the drawings. This movement of the arm 60 causes movement of the wings W in the direction indicated by the arrow B in Fig. 2. During the initial portion of the movement of the wings W in the direction indicated by the arrow B the liquid in the chambers C in front of the moving wings is put under pressure, which pressure causes the liquid to unseat the valves 63 in the ports X1 so that the liquid passes through the grooves X and the ports Xl into the portions of the chambers C behind the moving Wings. From this it will be seen that the device or door check does not hamper or interfere with the free initial movement oi the doors D. During the major intermediate portion of the movement of the -wings W in the direction indicated by the arrow B the liquid in the chambers C displaced from in front of the wings W freely iiows through the grooves X and Y around the outer ends of the Wings so that there is little or no resistance to free movement of the wings W through the chambers. Upon the doors D approaching the open positions the wings W move past the grooves X and Y and the outer ends of the ports X1 move out of register with the grooves X so that the ports are cut off from the portions of the chambers C in front of the moving wings W. The liquid trapped or conned in the portions of the chambers C in front of the wings W is oi course put under pressure and must escape to allow further movement cf the wings. 'I'he trapped or confined liquid in front of the wings W during the iinal portion of the movement of the wings W in the direction indicated by the arrow B passes out of the chambers C through the ports 13 into the opening 1i. As the opening 1| is closed except for the ports 10 and 'I3 the liquid thus admitted to the opening 1| must pass the seat H in order to reach the ports 10 and again return to the chambers C. The valve stem 15 may be adjusted to set the valve face 'l5 in relation to the valve seat l!! to provide for any desired rate of bypassing of liquid from one chamber to the other through the ports it! and '13. As the liquid is forced or by-passed through the ports 13 and the ports 10 and thence into the low pressure or rear portions of the chambers C, the wings W are allowed to advance to their final positions in the chambers. The controlled by-passing of the liquid trapped in front of the wings W during the final portions of movement of the wings thus determines the rate of the nal movements of the doors D. There may be some leakage or bypassing of liquid around the Wings W and this taken together with the ley-passing of the liquid through the ports I3 and TG determines the rate of movement of the Wings W and the doors D as the doors approach their fully opened positions. In this manner the nal opening movement of the doors D is evenly and smoothly checked or retarded and undesirable slamming and jarring of the apparatus is prevented.

When the doors D are closed the arm 60 is moved from the position illustrated in the broken lines in Fig. 1 to the position illustrated in the full lines an-d the wings W are moved in the direction indicated by the arrow A. During the initial portion of this door closing movement the liquid in the portions of the chambers in front of the wings W relative to the direction of movement of the wings passes through the grooves Y and ports Yl into the portions of the chambers C behind the wings. During the major intermediate phase of the movement of the wings the liquid is allowed to freely by-pass around the ends of the wings through the grooves X and Y. As the doors D approach their closed positions the wings pass the ends of the grooves X and Y and the outer ends of the ports Yl are moved out of register with the grooves Y so that bypassing or" liquid around and through the Wings is gradually cut off. The liquid in front of the Wings W is then caused to by-pass through the ports 10 into the opening 'H and then past the valve seat 14 to iiow through the ports 13 into the low pressure ends of the chambers C. The setting or adjusting of the valve 'l5 of course determines the rate of this by-passing of liquid, and, therefore, governs the rate of the Iinal closing movements of the doors D. The outer ends of the by-pass ports 'I0 and 13 are preferably located so that the by-pass ports are at all times in Communication with the chambers C. Further, the parts are preferably set or adjusted so that the wings W never come into contact with the partition 38. From the above detailed description it is believed that it will be apparent that the door control or door check provided by the invention effectively smoothly retards or checks both the nal opening and closing movements of the door or doors with which it is connected.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application oi.' my invention I do not wish to be limited to the speciflc forms and applications herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A door check including a body having two iiuid chambers, a member adapted to be associated with a door to be moved with movement of the door, parts on the member movable in the chambers from initial positions adjacent the ends oi' the chambers, means for by-passing the fluid in the chambers through the said parts during the initial and intermediate portions of the movement of the member, means for bypassing the fluid past the said parts during the intermediate portion of movement of the member, and means for by-passing iiuid from one chamber to the other during the iinal portion of the movement of the member.

2. A door check including a body having two iiuid chambers, a member adapted to be associated with a door to be moved with each opening and closing movement of the door, parts on the members movable in the chambers from initial positions in the end portions of the chambers, means by-passing the fluid through and past the parts during the initial and major portions of the opening and closing movements of the door only, and means for by-passing fiuid from one chamber to the other during the final portions oi the opening and closing movements of the door.

3. In a doorvcheck, a body having two fluid chambers, a member adapted to be associated with a door to be moved during each movement of the door, parts on the member shiitably iitting the chambers for movement therein from initial positions adjacent the ends of the chambers, there being grooves in the walls of the chambers -by-passing fluid past the said parts during portions of the movements of the member, valved ports in. the parts communicating with certain oi' the grooves during the initial portions of movement of the member, and restricted means conducting fiuid from one chamber to the other during the nal portion of each movement of the member.

4. In a door check, a body having two fluid chambers, a member adapted to be associated with a door to be moved during each movement of the door, -parts on the member shiitably fitting the chambers for movement therein from initial positions adjacent the ends of the chambers, there being grooves in the walls of the chambers bypassing fluid past the said parts during the intermediate portions of the movements of the member, and valved ports in said parts communicating with the grooves to -pass fluid through the said parts during the initial portions of each movement of the member, a valved port being in communication with a groove at each end of the stroke of the member to allow relatively free initial movement thereof.

5. In a door check, a body having two fluid chambers, a member adapted to be associated with a door to be moved during each movement of the door, parts on the member shiftably fitting the chambers for movement therein from initial positions adjacent the ends, there being grooves in the walls of the chambers having their ends spaced from the opposite ends of the chambers, and valved ports in each of said parts, one port of each part communicating with a groove at the initial portion of each movement of the member and moved out of registration with the groove before the iinal portion of each movement of the member.

6. In a door check, a body having a liquid chamber, a member adapted to be associated with a door to be turned upon movement of the door, and a part on the member fitting the chamber to turn therein, there being spaced grooves in the Wall of the chamber for passing liquid between the opposite end portions of the chamber during the intermediate portions of the strokes of the said part, the said part having ports for communicating with the grooves, one port communicating with one groove at one end of the stroke of the part, the other port communicating with the other groove at the other end of the stroke.

7. In a door check, a body having liquid chambers, a member supported by the body to turn relative thereto and having wings fitting the chambers for movement therethrough from initial positions adjacent the ends of the chambers, means for associating the member with a door to be turned upon opening and closing movements of the door, conduits in the walls of the chambers for passing liquid from one end to the other of each chamber during the major portions of each stroke of the member, valved ports in each Wing for registering with said conduits, one port of a wing communicating with a conduit during the initial portion of an end of the stroke of the member, the other port of the said wing communicating with the other conduit at the initial portion of the other end of the stroke 'and valve controlled means for conducting liquid from the opposite ends of the chambers to escape therefrom during the final portions of the strokes of the member.

GEORGE W. GARDINER. 

